"BBC apology to Abu Hamza over Queen disclosure"

From the BBC:

The BBC has apologised for revealing that Abu Hamza raised concerns with his henchmen about why Queen Elizabeth II had not been blown up yet.

The apology comes after security correspondent Frank Gardner told BBC Radio 4 of a private conversation he had with a senior al-Muhajiroun member some years ago. The BBC said it and Gardner were sorry for the "breach of confidence", which both "deeply regret".

On Monday, Abu Hamza lost his latest appeal against extradition to the US. The European Court of Human Rights ruled the extradition could go ahead. The Home Office hopes this can be achieved within three weeks.

Anu Hamza's lawyers have now submitted a further appeal, pointing out that this new disclosure was likely to harm his defence strategy, which was to protest his innocence.

The development was being discussed on Radio 4's Today programme on Tuesday morning when Gardner revealed details of his conversation with a known terrorist on the matter. He said the Islamist had told him, in a private meeting, how Abu Hmza had been upset that the Queen was still alive.